28.2.14

Hey, no one is more excited than I AM when something happens in that bathroom, but I like to take two months off at a time. Or a year. Don't judge.

Once upon a time (2 years ago) I decided that this gross, outdated bathroom HAD to go.

Fast forward a year and a half and I had finished the shower, flooring and toilet area.

However, I still had the vanity area staring me down. The orange-y oak just wasn't working for me anymore and let me show you why. This monstrous cabinet almost attacked you the second you walked into the bathroom. The pictures make it look a lot less terrible than it actually was.

All the shiny, protective finish had worn away inside the sinks, so approximately 3.2 seconds after scrubbing them down, mold would appear. Not a fan.

Also, I would like to start my own caulking school. You don't cut the tip off so your hole is an inch in diameter. If you do that, you end up with something like this.

Really? Who did that and thought it was good? Baffling. And very unacceptable. Not to mention, impossible to keep clean. A tiny bit cut off the tip of the caulking tube at an angle, then smoothing out the caulking with a wet fingertip is all it takes to create a beautiful seal. Who wants to come to my School of Caulk? I'm about ready to qualify myself as a professional in that area.

Anyhow, I got super excited one afternoon to get this thing out of my face.

And this is what I was left with.

After I finished the flooring, we cut into the wall to see what mystery awaited us in the plumbing department. The new design called for the sinks to be in different spots than the originals.

Even though pipes were exposed, it looked better than the old vanity, so I took a couple months off. It's a good thing I'm my own boss. I'm pretty sure anyone else would have to let me go....

BUT...... I had a made a plan a year earlier for a new vanity when I walked into IKEA and saw these beauties clearance priced at $49 each, down from $300 apiece. I purchased two of them for a crisp $100 bill. A $500 savings is exciting.

I talked my family into assembling them the second I got home! Everyone was thrilled, trust me. Jaci was serenading us on her guitar to calm our nerves, just like they did on the Titanic.

The vanities sat, completely assembled for a very long time in the basement storeroom because I was on my year hiatus at this point. Melanie did some very fancy plumbing maneuvers to get the pipes where they needed to be for the new sinks. I watched in absolute amazement as she measured, cut pipes and glued them together with precision. She is seriously a plumbing ninja. I can't even imagine what a plumber would have charged to do it. Basically, I'm willing the bathroom to Melanie, even though she probably hates it. And I can't believe I didn't get a picture of her doing her thing!

Fast forward to a few months later when I must have sobbed uncontrollably to poor Melanie about my plight, and so she showed up at 9:30 one night ready to help. We got the vanities installed and the oak butcher block from IKEA cut to size and secured to the top. We also set the sinks on top just to see how the whole thing was going to look. I think we did a little jig but since it was well after midnight at that point, we didn't have the energy to make up an entire routine. Darn it.

The vanities provide so much storage. They have 8 big drawers that all have the soft close feature. Since the toilet has a soft close feature as well, I never hear any banging coming from the kids' bathroom, and that is music to my ears.

The sinks are from IKEA as well, but they don't carry them anymore. They were called the ANA sink and faucet and I have no idea why they discontinued them. I think they are so cool. When I bought the vanities, I could only justify buying one sink and faucet. The sink was $160 and the faucet was $79 and I was just going to make do with one. BUT, a visit to the "AS-IS" section (my fave) produced a floor model ANA sink and faucet combo for $79! Sold. I had dreamed of two sinks all along so it was meant to be.

Despite my demands for all drops of water to be kept INSIDE the sinks, this is a bathroom after all and I really wanted the butcher block top to be well protected. I did a lot of research and finally came up with this sealer at a local woodworking shop.

I didn't want the finish to be shiny and I loved the natural look of the wood, so I got a flat finish and applied about 6 coats with ample drying time and a light sanding in between each coat. I love the way it turned out, and so far it has been super effective in repelling the stray drops of water. The wood still looks natural and unfinished but it's well protected.

And so, there is another day in the life (I mean 3 months into eternity) of this bathroom story. The only big things left are the mirrors and light fixtures. The lights have actually been installed and the mirrors.....getting close. I also have about 10 small things on my punch list, including a couple of drywall repairs, (goody) but I am honestly seeing the finish line.

10 comments:

I am clapping so loudly over here in the QC... can you hear me? This remodel has really taken your blood, sweat and tears and it is A-mazing. My favorite thing is your floor choice... it is so classic but still very contemporary. #2 on my list is that little stool you got at the GW- could you will that to me? Something about it is so chic and natural. (And of course, had I seen it first, I would have turned my nose up at it and left it behind to go look for more much-needed vintage china. I may need an intervention for that problem...)Anyway, I love the sinks and the faucets and the sign and the john and of course, the tile and drywall work. You really are amazing. Some people are no doubt inspired and encouraged to tackle a big project like that on their own now, too. I, on the other hand, am going to go take a nap. Bravo, my friend.

Seriously. The deal Gods love you!! The bathroom is looking amazing!! I wanna come see in person. And let's just have a moment about that Melanie!!! I can't even stand the talent between you two!! Now both of you get over here and let's tackle MY bathroom!!!

Hooray for the renovations! I believe it was a long process, but it’s definitely worth it, Jilly. Anyway, I hope you’ll be able to finish the renovation as soon as possible. Just make sure that you’ll carefully work on plumbing ‘cause it might start severe damage for your home. I’ll be looking forward to seeing your progress in the future. Good luck. :)

Its good to decorate your bathroom like a luxury bathroom. I like the idea to use a wooden pallets for a sink. Nowadays I am planing to install a Residential Lifts in my home to give a bit relief to my legs!